SOCOM Developer Shutting Down?

Zipper Interactive, creator of the SOCOM military shooter series, may be closing its doors soon. A new report suggests that Sony, who owns Zipper, is planning to shut it down due to unknown reasons.

Kotaku, citing multiple sources, says that Zipper employees are being laid off. At least one project is being cancelled as well. The layoffs are said to be so numerous that complete closure of the studio is likely.

The Redmond, Washington-based studio was founded in 1995. In their early years, Zipper specialized in PC vehicle-based shooters like Crimson Skies, Mech Warrior 3, and DeathDrome. Ever they released SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs in 2002, though, their focus has been on console shooters. Sony acquired the company in 2006.

Zipper hasn't had a lot of success in this generation of consoles. Both massive multiplayer shooter MAG and SOCOM 4: U.S. Navy SEALS underperformed in sales. The fact that PSN was down for the month immediately after SOCOM 4's release didn't help its chances. Still, reviews weren't great for that game or MAG.

If Zipper is shut down, that probably won't mean the end of the SOCOM series. Presumably Sony would hand the series off to Slant Six Games, who created SOCOM: Confrontation for the PS3 as well as two PSP entries in the franchise.